SOUTH AMERICA. O.*7 



hall of Leeds. A little after this, Wilson's f "**" 

 " Ornithology of the United States" fell into - 

 my hands. 



The desire I had of seeing that country, 



gether with the animated description which Wilson 

 had given of the birds, fanned up the almost 

 expiring flame. I forgot the vexations already 

 alluded to, and set off for -New York, in the 

 beautiful packet John Wells, commanded by Cap- 

 tain Harris. The passage was long and cold; 

 but the elegant accommodations on board, and 

 the polite attention of the commander, rendered 

 it very agreeable ; and I landed, in health and mer- 

 riment, in the stately capital of the new world. 



We will soon pen down a few remarks on this 

 magnificent city, but not just now. I want to 

 venture into the north-west country, and get to 

 their great canal, which the world talks so much 

 about, though I fear it will be hard work to 

 make one's way through bugs, bears, brutes, and 

 buffaloes, which we Europeans imagine are so 

 frequent and ferocious in these never-ending 

 western wilds. 



I left New York on a fine morning in July, 

 without one letter of introduction, for the city of 

 Albany, some hundred and eighty miles up the 

 celebrated Hudson. I seldom care about letters 

 of introduction, for I am one of those who depend 

 much upon an accidental acquaintance. Full many 

 a face do I see, as I go wandering up and down 



